Shoulder bib with removable pad

ABSTRACT

A reversible infant caregiver&#39;s bib having a reversible burp cloth affixed to a shoulder pad. The shoulder pad is designed with a moisture barrier to prevent regurgitated food from leaking through the pad and thus avoiding soiling or staining events to the wearer&#39;s clothing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/873813, filed Sep. 4, 2013.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to burp cloths, and more specifically to multiple layer burp cloths for use by infants/babies.

BACKGROUND

Spittle and reflux, i.e. spit-up, are the bane of any well-dressed new parent's existence. Air is often trapped within an infant's digestive system during feeding. Burping the infant, i.e. encouraging the entrained air to be expelled orally by applying gentle pressure to the infant's abdomen or gently patting their back, during feeding can expel air from an infant's digestive system. This is often accomplished by pressing the infant's abdomen to the caregiver's chest and gently patting the infant's back with the caregiver's hand. It is common for infants to expel partially digested food, i.e. spit-up or reflux, when burped. Reflux can also be the result of an upset developing digestive system or overfeeding. Since some reflux is commonly foul smelling and can stain clothing, a parent or caretaker will often have a burp cloth available to catch the expelled material, often 1 to 2 tablespoons of material.

The burp cloths are typically comprised of an absorbent material such as cotton, cotton blends, or terry cloth. The tactility and thickness of the material are important for infant comfort. Once the baby has regurgitated some spittle or milk, the parent or caretaker may need to replace the burp cloth with another clean, sanitary burp cloth and therefore must have several burp cloths available. Furthermore, most burp cloths are usually comprised of a single layer of material or a thin, absorbent layer over a bottom layer that may or may not be resistant to the penetration of liquid so as to prevent seepage and to protect underlying clothing or prevent contact with the skin of the caregiver. Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a burp cloth or bib which can be used more than once in a single feeding, is sanitary, and is easy to change while being cost efficient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWNGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the shoulder bib as worn.

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded perspective view of the attachable/detachable absorbent bib and shoulder bib.

FIG. 2A depicts a cross sectional view of the shoulder bib.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the underside of the shoulder bib.

FIG. 4 depicts a removably attached breastfeeding cover in association with the shoulder bib.

DEFINITIONS

Where the definition of terms departs from the commonly used meaning of the term, applicant intends to utilize the definitions provided below, unless explicitly indicated otherwise.

For purposes of this application, the term “shoulder bib” refers to the entire device.

For the purposes of this application, the phrase “attachment means” refers to removably means of attachment which can be found in the prior art, including, but not limited to snaps, magnets, hoop and loop fabric, ribbons, string, and buttons.

For purposes of this application, the term “shoulder pad” refers to the entire shoulder bib excluding the extensions of the shoulder bib which form the neck attachment.

For purposes of this application, the term “bib arms” refers to extensions of the shoulder bib which form a neck orifice when conjoined so as to encircle the neck of the wearer.

For purposes of this application, the term “back” or “underside” both refer to the side of the shoulder bib which faces the wearer.

For purposes of this application, the term “front” or “topside” both refer to the side of the shoulder bib which faces away from the wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 2 a 3, and 4, embodiments of the present device generally provide an improved shoulder bib 50 having shoulder pad 70 area and first and second shoulder bib arms 52, 55 with a sanitary, removably attached burp cloth 1 or other absorbent bib 1 affixed to a first shoulder bib face 54 or a second shoulder bib face 56 of the shoulder pad 70 of the shoulder bib 50. The shoulder bib 50 is primarily configured to be worn over the left or right shoulder of the wearer. Alternatively, the shoulder bib 50 is reversible so as to be worn over either shoulder to accommodate both left and right handed parents.

According to embodiments of the device as depicted in FIG. 1, the shoulder bib 50 is intended to be anchored around the neck of the wearer by the conjoining of a first bib arm 52 and a second bib arm 55. Preferably, the first bib arm 52 and the second bib arm 55 are joined around the wearer's neck, preferably at the rear of the neck or at the opposing side from the shoulder pad area 70 having an affixed burp cloth 1 so as to keep the point of attachment 53 between the first bib arm 52 and the second bib arm 55 away from the infant. The terminal end 62 of the first bib arm 52 is joined to the terminal end 65 of the second bib arm 55 by a bib arms attachment means 51, e.g. male and female snaps, hook and loop fabric, a button and buttonhole, or similar attachment means known to those skilled in the art. Ideally, the terminal ends 62, 65 are detachably joined by common attachment means 51 so as to permit one handed attachment and detachment by the wearer.

The shoulder pad 70 of the shoulder bib 50 preferably extends from at or about the shoulder blade of the wearer's shoulder on which the infant will be burped to a point across the shoulder and down across the breast. The material from which the shoulder pad 50 and bib arms 52, 55 are constructed is preferably absorbent and may incorporate decorative aspects.

The first bib face 54 of the shoulder bib 50 possesses a means for removably attaching an absorbent bib 1. Alternatively, the second face 56 may also possess absorbent bib attachment means 10 for removably attaching an absorbent bib 1, i.e. burp cloth or burp pad. The absorbent bib attachment means 10 can be any of a multitude of commercially available means such as snaps, buttons, and hoop and loop fabric with a preference towards absorbent bib attachment means 10 that are safe for use with infants. The absorbent bib attachment means 10 are preferably affixed to the absorbent bib's 1 shoulder side 2 and are mated with corresponding attachment means 10 on the second and/or first faces 62, 65 of the shoulder pad 50. Preferably, the absorbent bib 1 can be simply detached when soiled and replaced with a clean absorbent bib 1 or alternatively removed and reversed to expose a fresh, clean side of the absorbent bib 1.

The absorbent bib 1 is preferably aesthetically matched with the fabric cover 59 of the shoulder bib 50. In an alternative embodiment, the fabric of the absorbent bib 1 and shoulder bib 50 are flame resistant. In a further alternative embodiment, the fabric cover 59 is treated to be anti-microbial and/or anti-viral. In a still further alternative embodiment, the fabric cover 59 is treated to combat odor from spittle, sputum, and/or food.

Ideally, the shoulder pad 70 is absorbent on at least its first face 54, but is also constructed to inhibit fluids from soaking through the shoulder bib 50 and staining clothing upon which the opposing second face 56 of the shoulder bib 50 may come into contact. The shoulder bib 50 may be constructed in a quilt-type assembly with a decorative outer fabric cover 59 and a soft fill 75 between the first face 54 and second face 56 of the shoulder bib 50. Preferably, at least one layer of the bib 50 acts a fluid barrier 78 so that spit-up that soaks through the burp cloth 1 will not soak through the bib 50. In a still further embodiment, an internal fluid barrier 78 within the shoulder bib 50 prevents fluids from soaking through the bib 50.

In a preferred alternative embodiment, the shoulder bib 50 and/or the absorbent bib 1 are adorned with items which can draw and maintain the infant's attention using toy attachment means 15. The adorned items 90, e.g. toys, may be things which stimulate the visual, auditory, olfactory, and/or tactile senses. In the event that the device is used with toddlers, users may attach adorned items 90 which enhance problem solving skills. The adorned items are preferably removably attached using infant safe, commercially available adornment item attachment means 15 as previously defined. Alternatively, laces, loops of fabric, or ribbons can serve as adornment item attachment means 15.

Ideally, the absorbent bib 1 is at least partially constructed of a soft material pleasing to the touch and non-irritating to the infant's skin. In an alternate embodiment, the absorbent bib 1 is constructed with a soft, durable outer absorbent bib cover 11 with an absorbent, preferably non-toxic, absorbent bib fill material 13 contained therein.

Depicted in FIG. 4, a breastfeeding attachment accessory 80, i.e. breastfeeding privacy shield or breastfeeding cover, can be attached to a second 56 and/or first face 54 of the bib 50 for privacy of breastfeeding sessions. This breastfeeding accessory 80 is removably attached using previously defined attachment means as breastfeeding accessory attachment means 85. FIG. 4 demonstrates the use of four snap-fit means 85 on one face 54 or 56 of the bib 50 depicted in FIG. 1 which are mated with four snap-fit means 85 on a face of the breastfeeding privacy shield 80, i.e. cover, depicted in FIG. 4. The breastfeeding cover 80 is removably attached with first and second breast feeding accessory arms 87, 89, depicted in FIG. 4, wrapped around the neck of the wearer. In a further embodiment, first and second breast feeding accessory arms 87, 89 are wrapped around the back of the wearer and are joined by attachment means 85 around the wearer's back to secure the breastfeeding cover 80 during the breastfeeding session so as to enhance privacy and security.

While the present invention may have been disclosed herein with reference to certain embodiments, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined herein. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that any and all examples in the present disclosure, while illustrating embodiments of the invention, are provided as non-limiting examples and are not to be read as limiting the various aspects so illustrated. The present invention is intended to have its full scope consistent with the drawings and description herein, and equivalents thereof. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative and not as restrictive. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A caregiver bib comprising: a. a shoulder bib having a first face, a second face, and an orifice through which the neck of said caregiver may pass so as to permit said shoulder bib to be worn around the neck of said caregiver; and b. an absorbent bib removably affixed to a face of said shoulder bib by attachment means.
 2. The caregiver bib of claim 1, wherein said shoulder bib and said absorbent bib are configured to extend over the same shoulder on the same bilateral side of the wearer from the wearer's chest.
 3. The caregiver bib of claim 2, wherein said absorbent bib is reversible.
 4. The caregiver bib of claim 3, wherein said shoulder bib possesses means to attach adornment items to said shoulder bib.
 5. The caregiver bib of claim 1, wherein said shoulder bib is reversible.
 6. The caregiver bib of claim 1, wherein said shoulder bib possesses a moisture barrier to inhibit liquids from leaking through said shoulder bib.
 7. The caregiver bib of claim 1, further comprising a removably attached breastfeeding cover.
 8. A caregiver bib comprising: a. a shoulder bib having a first face, a second face, and an orifice through which the neck of said caregiver may pass so as to permit said shoulder bib to be worn around the neck of said caregiver; b. an absorbent bib removably affixed to a face of said shoulder bib by attachment means; and c. said shoulder bib and said absorbent bib being configured to extend over the same shoulder on the same bilateral side of the wearer from the wearer's chest.
 9. The caregiver bib of claim 8, wherein said absorbent bib is reversible.
 10. The caregiver bib of claim 9, wherein said shoulder bib possesses means to attach adornment items to said shoulder bib.
 11. The caregiver bib of claim 8, wherein said shoulder bib is reversible.
 12. The caregiver bib of claim 8, wherein said shoulder bib possesses a moisture barrier to inhibit liquids from leaking through said shoulder bib.
 13. The caregiver bib of claim 8, further comprising a removably attached breastfeeding cover.
 14. A caregiver bib comprising: a. a shoulder bib having a first face, a second face, and an orifice through which the neck of said caregiver may pass so as to permit said shoulder bib to be worn around the neck of said caregiver; b. a reversible absorbent bib removably affixed to a face of said shoulder bib by attachment means; and c. said shoulder bib and said absorbent bib being configured to extend over the same shoulder on the same bilateral side of the wearer from the wearer's chest.
 15. The caregiver bib of claim 14, wherein said shoulder bib possesses means to attach adornment items to said shoulder bib.
 16. The caregiver bib of claim 14, wherein said shoulder bib is reversible.
 17. The caregiver bib of claim 14, wherein said shoulder bib possesses a moisture barrier to inhibit liquids from leaking through said shoulder bib.
 18. The caregiver bib of claim 14, further comprising a removably attached breastfeeding cover. 